Woodblock of ampeloprasum by Georgio Liberale and Wolfgang Meyerpeck for Pietro Mattioli, Commentarii in sex libros Pedacii Dioscoridis des medica materia (Prague, 1562)
This woodblock was carved by Georgio Liberale and Wolfgang Meyerpeck for use in Commentarii in sex libros Pedacii Dioscoridis des medica materia, a botanical book printed in 1562. In this text, Italian physician Pietro Mattioli combined his commentary on an ancient source on medical botany with new observations and large printed woodcut images. Notable for its complex craftsmanship and design, this woodblock carving represents a turning point in the evolution of botanical illustration. The large size of these designs was also a radical departure as woodblocks were typically smaller during this period. (JF)
Back to "Science on the Page"